Labradorite is a type of feldspar known for its beautiful iridescent shine that some people often compare to the Northern Lights.
This is further solidified by the fact that it’s usually found in Labrador (Canada), Norway, and Finland.
Labradorite is often utilized as a healing crystal, which is why it is so commonly used for meditation practices as well as some feng shui arrangements or as the focal point of jewelry.
But however you use your labradorite, it’s bound to eventually get wet.
Whether you and your labradorite necklace get caught in the rain, or your feng shui crystals are looking a little grimy and need a wash, it’s important to know if labradorite can survive a watery encounter.
Cutting To The Chase: Can Labradorite Survive In Water?
I see no merit in burying the lead here; you need your answer now, so here it is…
In usual circumstances, yes, labradorite can absolutely stand strong when exposed to water — hooray!
But why is this the case, and is there anything you should be concerned about when submerging your labradorite?
Read on and all will be revealed!
Labradorite & The Mohs Hardness Scale
The scale that most stone enthusiasts will use to work out if it is safe for a stone to be put in water is the Mohs hardness scale, which is a standardized scale between 1 and 10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest.
Diamond, for instance, scores a 10 on the hardness scale, while at the other end of the spectrum, there is talc, which scores 1.
The general rule of thumb is that if a stone scores below 5 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is considered to be unsafe to put in water, while those that score 5 or above are safe to put in water — composition permitting.
On this scale, Labradorite is usually between 6 and 6.5, meaning that if it is in water, it will not get instantly damaged.
So if you have been swimming while wearing labradorite or if it has accidentally spent some time in water, it should be fine, and you should not be worried about any damage coming to it.
You can safely wear it during a short bath, and there’s no need to take off all your labradorite jewelry the moment you see a storm cloud brewing when you’re out and about — go singing in the rain if the feeling takes ya!
It is even possible to run the stone under water to wipe off any dirt if you want to give it a clean!
When Will Water Damage Labradorite?
The only time water will have a negative impact on your labradorite is if you frequently leave it submerged for extended periods of time — we’re talking hours on the regular.
You’ll notice that the sparkle of the stone will get progressively dull. It could even become more and more discolored over time.
This will usually affect the iridescent qualities of the stone and give it a much less appealing and lustrous appearance.
In worst case scenarios, your labradorite may even develop a few cracks, which obviously isn’t ideal, so let’s explore why this happens in order to prevent your labradorite from suffering a similar fate.
Why Does Extended Water Exposure Damage Labradorite?
When submerged in water for long periods, the shiny surface cultivated during tumbling or hand polishing will start to erode, digging beneath the refined layer and revealing the coarse inner gem.
Not only is this generally bad for the stone’s appearance, but once the smooth surface layer has vanished, the rough, unpolished areas might irritate or cut your skin, especially if you wear labradorite jewelry.
Another reason you don’t want this protective layer removed from excessive exposure to water is that labradorite actually contains a great deal of sodium, which – as you may remember from your high school science class, is reactive in water.
Don’t worry, your labradorite isn’t going to explode if it spends too much time in water, nor will it dissolve, but the reaction will announce itself in the form of tiny fissures that weaken the structural integrity of the stone, increasing the chances of a full-blown break in the future.
Can Labradorite Go In Salt Water?
Lots of people recommend soaking stones in salt water as a method of cleansing them, as the salt adds a fine grit to the water that helps to grind away grime and debris.
So, if labradorite can go in water, but not for too long, can labradorite also survive in salt water for a while?
Unfortunately, putting labradorite in salt water is highly discouraged, as this can end up damaging the stone.
The salt water will have a similar effect as the standard water, but with a faster rate of erosion, as the salt crystals form an abrasive agent in the water.
Salt water is known to also have some mildly corrosive properties, so this is why it is recommended to not use it on a beautiful gem such as labradorite.
Precautions To Take When Introducing Labradorite To Water
As we’ve established, the key to keeping your labradorite safe is limiting its time spent in water, as a moderate amount of exposure is A-okay, but extended periods will take their toll, especially if there’s salt in the mix.
If you need to give your labradorite a wash, it’s recommended that you avoid soaking it.
Instead, the best course of action is to rinse it under filtered water and wipe away any soiling as you go.
Once it’s looking nice and shiny again, I’d highly recommend that you dry it off straight away with some kitchen towels or a dishcloth, as leaving it to air dry will extend its exposure to water significantly, possibly leaving it susceptible to damage.
Final Thoughts
So now you know — while it is safe for labradorite to go in water for short periods of time and sporadically, you should avoid doing this regularly, as it could end up damaging the stone.